My birthday was on Saturday, and I really had one of the most awesome days that I can remember.
First, an old friend invited me to a gentle bunch that he organised for his extended family and I thus got to spend some time, and share some cake, with my favourite kids in the whole world. Thanks dude and dudette, it was really great to spend some of the day with you.
From there, I progressed to the more organised drinks party at the Lagoon Beach Wang Thai restaurant. They did a great job of hosting us, even calling before hand to adjust the arrangements based on their first-hand knowledge of the weather at their breathtaking venue. Even a minor logistic problem as we stayed longer into the evening than they had anticipated was resolved quickly and quietly. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for all occasions.
I really appreciated all the friends that arrived. I’m used to Cape Town people treating any event that happens on a nice day as if it were a very loose and optional arrangement. I was humbled by the number of you that turned up. It was great to see all of you, and especially nice to see so many different groups of people I know mixing so well. Aside from the great, thoughtful presents, the convivial company that you guys provided was the coolest birthday gift one could hope for.
Special thanks to the Canadian delegation. It was wonderful to have you guys there. The young lady who turned up after going AWOL from my friendship circle for 18 months also put a smile on my face, and Indiana Jane and Kyknoord deserve a free plug for the blogs.
Lest anyone that reads this feels that they didn’t make the cut, let me explain that I organised very little. I returned from an unexpected trip to Johannesburg very shortly before my birthday and only had time to invite people by word of mouth. This makes the turnout all the more heartwarming. If you didn’t know about the event, it just means that my viral advertising didn’t reach you, and certainly not that I didn’t want you to come.
To the special friends that dragged me off to the Table View house party afterwards, affectionate thanks as always. I know I didn’t stay long, but your warm welcome of me and so many other people whom you had never met before speaks volumes about why you are my friends. I hear that you finished the night on a vigorously high note. 
I ended my day by taking my Southern Suburbs ladies to Pakalolo, the gateway to hell situated on the Table View beach front. We were welcomed graciously by the ever-gorgeous bar lady, and I was thrilled to be able to introduce some friends to the place that seems to be my local, for better or worse. I learned today that “Pakalolo” is an Hawaiian word for marijuana. While there was certainly none of that for us, I retied sober but relaxed after a most enjoyable day.
Finally, I have received good wishes from all over the country, and from Scotland, India, England, the USA, Ireland and Australia. I appreciate every one, although I have not even started to respond yet. You will each hear from me in the fullness of time, but know that my appreciation is deep. My friends certainly know how to make someone feel like a king for a day.
